By Al Hain-Cole

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Jan 16, 2013 15:51:00

This pair met in an FA Cup clash less than two weeks ago, when Rafa Benitez's men strolled to an emphatic win, and Al Hain-Cole is expecting a repeat performance

Chelsea’s home game against Southampton was postponed earlier in the season to allow the European champions to travel to the Far East for their ultimately fruitless World Club Championship campaign, but with the league now their number one priority, the hosts will be looking to make up for lost time with a win.

The Blues have endured a rollercoaster season, and each of their last two victories have been followed by a defeat, while their recent home form has been a particular issue.

Rafa Benitez’s men have suffered two consecutive losses in front of their hostile Stamford Bridge crowd, but they are still made clear 1/5 (1.20) favourites with Bet365 to collect all three points this time.

The visitors have improved significantly of late and have lost just twice in their last 11 Premier League games, but with the 5-1 FA Cup thrashing against this opposition still fresh in their minds, they are huge outsiders at 12/1 (13.00) to come away with a win.

Nigel Adkins’ men have drawn three of their last four, and would be delighted with a point in West London, at odds of 11/2 (6.50).

Benitez will be frustrated that each time he records an impressive result to almost win over the fans, his side falter to a disappointing loss.

However, as the 4-0 win over Stoke demonstrated, when all of his creative players are on song, they are almost unstoppable.

Despite improving at the back recently, the Saints' 1-0 win over misfiring Aston Villa at the weekend was their first away clean sheet of the season, and they have come away from difficult trips to Arsenal, West Ham and Everton with defeats by at least a two-goal margin.

A similar result seems more than likely against Mata, Hazard and Co. at Stamford Bridge, so odds of 8/13 (1.62) for Chelsea to win with a one-goal handicap are surely too good to pass up.

It took a Southampton goal to wake the Blues up in the FA Cup clash at St Mary's, and they came from behind to win for the second time in three matches.

Considering the visitors have let a lead slip in three of their last four games, it is well worth having a wager on the Londoners winning from a losing position on Wednesday, at attractive 6/1 (7.00) odds.

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.